Hardware for Dear Dad

My dad is here this weekend, so I get to give him his Father's Day card in person - yippee!

Here are two Father's Day cards I made, using different finishes of Hodgepodge Hardware to frame 'Dear Dad'. Dear Dad is part of the Holiday Blitz stamp set. The silver Hodgepodge Hardware, from the Occasions Mini, is only available until June 31, and the Copper finish is only available until August 10. The card also features Le Jardin Designer Series Paper, which we will be using at this weekend's Summer Gifts Class. Have you registered yet? We have 4 spaces left for Friday and many spaces available for Saturday. Register now at summergiftsclass.eventbrite.com Hope to see you this weekend!




Dear Dad is part of the Holiday Blitz stamp set. I recently received this set for free because I met some sales goals.

Happy Father's Day, too!

Summer Gifts class sneak preview

Tiffany and I are finalizing the projects for the June 13 and 14 Summer Gifts class, and I thought you would want to take a look. Here's a wall hanging I'm working on.

My apologies for the grainy picture. My camera's busted, so now I'm taking pictures with my phone. In addition to the wall hanging, we will also be making a photo frame, a bag, and a party favor. Early Bird registration ends on June 30, so click http://summergiftsclass.eventbrite.com/ to register today.

amazing to zany card

Today, a young friend came over and made a birthday card for her cousin. Look at how she used lots of words from the Amazing to Zany set!

Here are the card ingredients:

• A Little Birdie Told Me stamp set


• Amazing to Zany stamp set


• Old Olive, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White cardstock


• Summer Picnic Designer Series Paper (from the Occasions mini)


• Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon


• Scallop punch


• 1 3/8" circle punch

Congrats, fabulous friend!

My colleague and friend Debbie is getting married in a few weeks, so we had an office wedding shower for her yesterday. I don't have a stamp sentiment that says something specific about a wedding shower, so I used the Amazing to Zany set and stamped, "congrats fabulous friend". I think it did the trick. Since every bride and groom need thank-you notes, I made Debbie a folder full or thank-you notes in her wedding colors - pink and orange. I used Purely Pomegranate and Groovy Guava.





I also stamped the envelopes with an image from the Carte Postale set. I think it looks great on the envelope flap.








I made a folder for the cards using some Groovy Guava designer series paper. That's a trick I learned at Stampin' Down the Shore last year.












The card ingredients are:

• Baroque Motifs stamp set


• Purely Pomegranate, Groovy Guava, and Whisper White cardstock


• Groovy Guava and Purely Pomegranate classic ink


• mat pack (for paper piercing)


• rhinestone brads in fire color assortment (Did I tell you I got the rhinestone brads for free?)

The folder uses:

• Ginger Blossom Designer Series paper (thanks, Ashley Hill, for the pic! http://rubbertherapy.blogspot.com/)


• Vintage brads


• 1/4" whisper white grosgrain ribbon


• Purely Pomegranate and whisper white cardstock


• scallop punch


• rhinestone brads in fire

Super-Fast Christmas Thank-You cards

Growing up in the Handy household, (yes, that's my maiden name) writing thank-you notes was part of our holiday tradition. Although I sometimes resented this practice as a kid, I have grown to value this tradition as an adult. I have tried to find ways to stay on top of thank-you notes as my dear husband and I establish our holiday traditions. This year, I think I figured it out. I packed a little card-making kit in my carry-on bag as we travelled to TX for Christmas. In a quart-size Ziploc bag, I included:

• 10 Really Red pre-cut cards - I cut the cardstock at home, since TSA doesn't like scissors and paper trimmers on the plane
• 10 Very Vanilla envelopes
• 10 pre-cut pieces of Designer Series paper, Cerise and Dashing (now retired, this was a great way to use up my scraps!)
• 10 pre-cut Christmas sentiments from the now-retired Perfect Presentation hostess set
• 10 pre-cut pieces of Real Red 5/8" grosgrain ribbon
• my mini-stapler
• bone folder
• 1 sheet of dimensionals
• SNAIL

When we had a weather delay leaving TX, I was able to make my Christmas thank-you notes at the airport. It was like having my very own Simply Sent kit! I folded all the cards, then adhered designer paper to the front of each card, using my SNAIL. Then I stapled on some ribbon and added a sentiment using dimensionals. Super-fast and cute to boot! This may become a Shiloh Stamps holiday tradition. That is, if we travel every year...

I also made a similar card-making kit for my Little Sister through Big Brothers Big Sisters. She's a crafty gal, so I made her a card-making kit. Inside the pretty box, I put a stamp set, a mini-stamp pad, some dimensionals, pre-cut cards, envelopes, and lots of ribbon. I also included a sample card to give her some ideas. The next day, she presented me with a lovely handmade card!

Also, here's a picture of Gary (my bro-in-law), Jon, me, and my sis in the Santa hats my mom made us. We were all in TX for Christmas together this year, which is a rare treat. Gina's and Gary's have stars, since they are stars of the stage. You might remember from an earlier post that Gina won an Arizoni award for her role in Seussical with Childsplay and Gary was selected to attend an international conference on theater for young audiences. My mom must have taken the Buy Handmade pledge, too, since she made us Santa hats and aprons - fun!

PS - Sorry I haven't been updating the blog lately, although Jon did figure out how to make the page wider (nice, huh?). I've been working on getting my new Stampin' Up Demonstrator Business website up and running. Have you had a chance to check it out yet? You can view it at shilohstamps.stampinup.net. I haven't decided if I want to keep it or not, since it's not free like blogger. Let me know if you feel like it's worth paying for after the 2-3 month free trial period.

Box of Gift Tags

I made this little box of gift tags for our friends Steve and Julie. They hosted a party last week, after returning from several weeks in India. They had lots of people over to look at their pictures, sample some Chai and curry, and welcome them home. It was lots of fun hearing about their travels.

These tags use the frame from Holy Triptych, sentiments from Star-Studded Season, and Holiday Harmony designer series paper. I also used Purely Pomegranate and Chocolate Chip paper as backgrounds. The tags are tied with gold elastic cord. I love how the satin ribbon gives these tags an elegant touch. Although these stamp sets are no longer available, the ribbon is for sale Buy One Get One as part of the Wrapping Up the Holidays promotion, which has been extended until December 31.

Christmas Shopping

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? Are you distributing a wish list to your friends and family? I've been collecting wish list from my family, but I have to confess that I haven't bought any presents yet! Now I took the Buy Handmade Pledge, so I plan to give everyone on my list a handmade gift this year. I plan to do some shopping at Circle of Hope Art Show this weekend.

If you have crafters on your gift list, you may want to check out Stampin' Up's 5 Fantastic Gifts Under $25. I personally would love to have Paper Trimmer they feature in this lift of suggested gifts. If you would like to receive some Stampin' Up products this year, e-mail me at alison@shilohstamps.com for a Stampin' Wish List to pass on to the Santas in your life. In order to receive Stampin' gifts in time for Christmas, be sure to order no later than December 14.

Are you planning on special gift wrap and tags this year? Stampin' Up is Wrapping Up the Holidays with a special holiday promotion. The Satin ribbon from the Holiday Mini is Buy One, Get One free throught this promotion. I ordered a roll of Purely Pomegranate and a roll of Chocolate Chip. You can also buy empty Accents and Elements tins. People are enjoying making special gift card holders by 'altering' these tins. Click here for some ideas using the products in this promotion.

Also, don't forget that I'm offering 20% off all the retiring stamp sets. Now might be a good time to make sure you get those sets before they are no longer available.

Tree Trimming fun

On Friday afternoon, my new recruit Tiffany King led her first Stampin' party, a Tree Trimming for the staff at Eastern University's Campolo School for Social Change. (Tiffany's an alum of Eastern's MA in Community Development program; I went to Palmer Seminary, part of Eastern U.) Here's Tiffany and I with some of the ornaments we created. Each of the 15 party attendees received a bag of supplies that they used to make ornaments, cards, and gift tags. We especially enjoyed using the On Board Trimmings from the Holiday Mini, Designer Series paper, and embossing with the heat tool.



















Friday evening, I hosted another Trim-a-Tree class at my home. Participants received a craft keeper full of supplies to make 20 ornaments. They also used the On Board Trimmings set, Designer Series paper, dazzling diamonds glitter, and some grosgrain ribbon.


I will also be selling some of these ornaments at the Circle of Hope Art Shop this weekend. Stop by and do some holiday shopping!


Jon and I are finally going to get our tree this weekend, and I look forward to decorating a full-size, live tree together. For our first 3 Christmases together, we lived in a little 1BR apartment and our small fake tree took over our "dining room". It will be fun to have the smell of pine in our Living Room!

my Thanksgiving table

This year, we hosted Thanksgiving in our home. We were joined by my parents, Jon's mom and aunt, and Jon's sis and her hubby. It was truly a grand time. We had plenty of time for feasting and laughing, but we also got lots of projects done.

• Jon's mom and aunt and I made these placecards and napkin rings together. The placecards use Old Olive, Really Rust, and Chocolate Chip cardstock with the Best Friends alphabet. On the back of each placecard, we stamped the pumpkin from Year After Year, and watercolored it using the Aqua Painter. The napkin rings use the Apple Cider designer series paper for the ring (only available until Nov 30) and the Thouroughly Thankful stamp set inside the scallop punch medallion.



• My dad and Jon put together 2 new bookcases by our fireplace. They look great.


• The ladies and I had a recipe swap, and we used the What's for Dinner? stamp set to make our recipe cards.


• Yesterday, Jon made shelves for our antique pantry. He cut them using his new circular saw. Fun with power tools!
  

Pumpkin Ornament for Trim-a-Tree class

Here's another ornament I made today. It's a pumpkin lantern, made with 12 6"x1" strips of Designer Series paper. Would you like to make this ornament for your home or tree? E-mail me at events@shilohstamps.com to RSVP for the Shiloh Stamps Trim-a-Tree class.

This ornament uses the Certainly Celery designer series paper. Did you know that all the designer series papers are on sale this month? It's Buy Three, Get One free. Contact me at alison@shilohstamps.com today to place an order.

Why I Love Stampin' Classes

Since I became an SU demonstrator in May, I have attended quite a few stamping classes - Philadelphia Regionals, Fall Fest with Tina's INKredible Impressions, and Kristin's Thankful Banner class. Not to mention, we PhillyInkers stamp every time we get together. The best part about attending a stamping class is that someone else has already purchased the supplies, designed the project, and cut all the paper in advance. If I choose, I can just assemble the project. Of course, I can always make changes and modifications, but someone has already given me a framework.

On November 29+30, I am offering a Trim-a-Tree class. We will make 4 ornaments together, and you will receive chipboard to make 20 ornaments. These ornaments are super-simple to make, and they would also make fabulous gifts or gift tags. We'll be using the On Board trimmings chipboard set (from the Holiday Mini catalog), Dazzling Diamonds glitter, designer series paper, and that fabulous new elastic cord. Here's a link to some fabulous samples of chipboard ornaments that use the On Board trimmings.

As a bonus, the first person to register and mention this Stampin' Classes blog post will receive 6 sheets of holiday Designer Series paper. Materials fee for this class is $20. Contact me at events@shilohstamps.com to register ASAP.

Note: The Thankful banner pictured above uses the On Board Garland chipboard and Apple Cider designer series paper from the Holiday Mini catalog. It also uses the Wild Wasabi twill tape from the Jersey ribbon orginals set.

Designer Series Paper is on sale!

Stampin' Up has announced another great special this month - Buy 3, Get 1 free on all Designer Series Papers. I have really enjoyed using this paper for cards, 3-D projects, Christmas ornaments, scrapbooking, and all sorts of other things. If you click designer paper in my link list on the right, you'll see all the blog posts that inlcude designer series paper.

Here's a link that shows a large swatch of each of the papers.

Here's a link to some project ideas that use the Designer Series papers.

Here's a link to a list of colors that coordinate with our Designer Series Papers.

Holiday Glitz Promotion

It seems like ever since I became a Stampin' Up demonstrator, they have offered at least one special per month. I enjoy the way they are featuring new products and trying to simplify card-making with kits. Starting October 1, SU is offering the Holiday Glitz kit to simplify holiday card-making.

Take advantage of this fantastic kit two different ways:

1. Purchase one of holiday stamp sets (below) and get the Holiday Glitz card kit (110286) for the special price of $24.95 each, or
2. Purchase the Holiday Glitz card kit (110286) for $28.95 each with no additional purchase required.

Each Holiday Glitz card kit makes 15 cards and includes:

• Precut card stock (real red and wild wasabi) and soft sky Designer Series paper (15)
• Whisper White Envelopes (15)
• Rhinestone brads (15)
• Real Red zigzag ribbon (15)
• Full-color instruction sheet (1)
  • Instruction Sheet 1
  • Instruction Sheet 2
    

Item	Page #	Stamp Set	Price
109234	45	Snowfall	$23.95
106786	36	The Snowflake Spot	$20.95
109266	35	Big on Christmas	$18.95
110359	5*	Love & Joy	$23.95

*Holiday Mini Collection 2007.

Good for You, Gina and Christy!

I have lots of congratulating to do lately. My sister, the fabulous stage actress, recently won 2 Arizoni Awards for her role as The Sour Kangaroo in Seussical the Musical. Now she's touring the country with Tomas and the Library Lady. Check out their tour blog at http://www.talltour.org/tour/

Also, our friend Christy just got engaged. Yippee! So I sent these cards to Gina and Christy. They use designer series paper in the background, the Good for You stamp from the Figures of Speech stamp set, the scallop punch (my favorite!), the paper piercing tool, Dazzling Diamonds glitter (applied with the 2-way glue pen), and some organdy ribbon. Super-simple!

Sympathy card with Scripture

A friend mine lost both her parents within a month of one another, so I made her this sympathy card using the Elegant Inspirations set on some retired designer series paper. This is actually a scrap of paper left over from the mug I made a few weeks back. My MIL bought this set back in June, and she let me borrow it for a while before I passed it on to her. I stamped a page full of scripture verses, and I've just been using them as I need them. On the inside, I stamped an image from the God's Blessings set in whisper white craft ink, so it would show up on the Chocolate Chip cardstock. It says, "May God's love heal your sorrow, and may His peace replace your heartache with warm and loving memories." I didn't scan it since I wrote on the inside before I thought to scan it. Using the patterned paper makes card-making go so quickly! Sorry for the poor quality image. My scanner doesn't do as well with cards that are more 3-D with ribbon and such.

Tomorrow, I'm going to the INKredible Impressions Fall Fest, led by Super-Demonstrator Tina Rosenkrans. I have to meet at Claire's house at 6:15am in order to be in northern NJ by 8:30-eeks! Fall Fest is a day full of stamping fun and business ideas. Stampin' Up's demonstrator of the year Ronda Wade will be there to inspire us all. I look forward to sharing all about it!

Hostess Gift for Susanne

This weekend, we visited our friends Jason and Susanne in Lancaster. They were having a House Concert/CD Release party for Jay's band Living Fables. You can download their CD through Musicblaster here.

Since we were staying overnight (and we flaked on Susanne's birthday earlier in the summer), I made her a set homemade notecards and a matching folder.

I used some double-sided Designer Series paper to make the folder and the coordinating cards.

The Much Appreciated card features Paper Piercing in the corners, and the Birthday hugs and wishes card features dry embossing. These are 2 techniques I'll be teaching at my upcoming class on October 19 + 20. Click those dates on my Google calendar to the right for more info.

Jason and Susanne have 2 precious little girls who are very creative, so I brought along the Stampin' Kids Tattoo Kit for them to play with. It was a big hit! They were covered head to toe in tattoos by the end of the evening.

Shoebox Swap Ingredients

Since the horrors of 9/11, I have struggled to find ways that I can make a difference in our country's tenuous global relationships. I have chosen to support peacemaking organizations and I have prayed for a resolution to the complex conflict around us. Several years ago, as we were discussing the Iraq War in a small group I led, we were spinning our intellectual wheels trying to figure out how our country can move forward in this new age of terror. As a group, we concluded the following:

• an immediate withdrawal of troops would be irresponsible - bear in mind this was 3+ years ago, but still true
• American troops can play a vital role in bringing stability to troubled regions around the world
• we should find ways to connect with the troops directly and provide emotional and spiritual support

Years later, I'm finally making good on that pledge, thanks to some stampers who would like to make a difference with the crafting skills. This Friday and next Monday, I'll be hosting a Shoebox Swap for Soldiers to benefit Angel Stampers for Soldiers. Each participant will bring card ingredients for 10 simple cards (about the size of a shoebox). We will make one another's cards and keep a sample of each card. Then we'll send the remaining cards to the Angel Stampers for Soldiers project. They send cards to troops overseas, and they've sent over 27,000 cards so far! I will be providing snacks, adhesives, envelopes for all the cards, and some fun door prizes. The covered box below is one of the prizes - fun!

There are two ways you can participate in the Shoebox Swap for Soldiers. If you design a simple card and bring supplies to make 10 cards, then you will be able to keep a sample of each card you make. If you don't have time to prepare a shoebox swap, feel free to come stamp and enjoy the creative process. Those who choose the second option will be donating all their cards to Angel Stampers for Soldiers. Either way, you are supporting a great cause - providing some encouragement to some people in a very difficult situation.

Some stampers have said they might need help preparing for a Shoebox Swap, so here's what I'm doing. I designed this super-simple card that features leaves and a sentiment from the Thoroughly Thankful set (30% off this month with the Fall Frenzy promotion) and a cut-out from the Apple Cider Designer Series paper from the Holiday Mini.

If you need ideas for card designs, Angel Stampers for Soldiers has some suggestions on their Mailing Schedule page. Bear in mind that you are not limited to current Stampin' Up products. Feel free to use retired SU supplies or supplies from another manufacturer. Click here for Guidelines from Angel Stampers for Soldiers regarding card size and design.



Here are the supplies needed to make a shoebox swap card:

• a sample of your card, maybe some directions if you think that would be helpful
• stamp set


• stamp pad(s)


• paper for 10 cards - please pre-cut or come over early to cut your paper


• embellishments - brads, ribbon, eyelets


• tools - scissors, paper piercer, bone folder

Here's a message from a soldier who received some cards through Angel Stampers for Soldiers:

Dear Carol,
Thank you very much for the gifts you sent us. Words can't begin to express our gratitude. On be half of the men and women of the 41st Electronic Combat squadron, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ currently serving in Uzbekistan. I would like to thank you for your outstanding support, generosity and thoughtfulness. Knowing that so many in our country have us close in their thoughts and prayers makes it easier for us to get through the challenges that we face each day. We know we are not alone. Life is hectic and fast-paced--and for you to have thought of us, and then to stop and take time from your personnel life to write--is an honor. I just want to say I really appreciate the thought and time you put into sending us something special. I'm so grateful for the support of many, many wonderful people in our country. Thank you, for making our Christmas a little brighter and letting us know there are people that appreciate us, I am proud to be serving the people of the greatest nation in the world. And once again, I thank you! May you be blessed each day, and may God bless America! Can you please past this message on to your other fellow stampers.
Sincerely, Ron Pollock

Color coordination - paper and ribbon

Here are the colors found in SU's Designer Series Papers and Designer Ribbons. Elizabeth Craddock posted this list on a Stampin' Up Demonstrator forum, and thought you might find it helpful.

I used Certainly Celery designer series paper in this scrapbook page and the Dashing Designer Paper in this Christmas card. Lots of fun!

DESIGNER PAPERS
Brocade Backgrounds: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, River Rock
Cerise: Real Red, Very Vanilla
Charbon: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla
Creepy Crawly: Basic Black, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust
Cutie Pie: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Certainly Celery, Rose Red, So Saffron
Darling Doodles: Brocade Blue, Groovy Guava, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi
Dashing: Old Olive, Real Red, River Rock, Very Vanilla
Fall Flowers: Old Olive, Really Rust, Sahara Sand, Soft Sky
Flowers for You: Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac, Regal Rose, Tempting Turquoise
LeJardin: River Rock, Soft Sky, So Saffron, Very Vanilla
Linen Prints: Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, Pink Passion
Notations No.2: More Mustard, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Wild Wasabi
Outlaw: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust, Sage Shadow, Very Vanilla
Petals & Paisleys: Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Rose Red, Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Soft Sky
Prints: Monochromatic papers available in Almost Amethyst, Always Artichoke, Blue Bayou, Brilliant Blue, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, Groovy Guava, Lovely Lilac, More Mustard, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie, River Rock, Rose Red, So Saffron, Soft Sky, Tempting Turquoise
Porcelain Prints: Blue Bayou, River Rock, Wild Wasabi
Uptown: Almost Amethyst, Basic Gray, So Saffron, Wild Wasabi
Wintergreen: Always Artichoke, Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Soft Sky

DESIGNER RIBBONS
SU colors that coordinate with the new Ribbon Originals.
Beachfront:
White - rickrack
Sahara Sand - zig zag
River Rock - pleated
Very Vanilla - gathered grosgrain
Basic Gray - velvet

District:
Pumpkin Pie - stripe grosgrain
White w/ Celery - diagonal stripe woven weave
Basic Gray w/white - stripe grosgrain
Blue Bayou/Sage Shadow - checkered weave
Sage Shadow - grosgrain

Fairy Tale:
So Saffron - jacquard flower
Rose Red - grosgrain w/white stitch
Certainly Celery - woven loop
Regal Rose - gathered grosgrain
Almost Amethyst - grosgrain

Jersey:
Basic Black w/white -stripe grosgrain
Real Red - twill w/zigzag
More Mustard/Wild Wasabi - grosgrain
Brocade Blue - wide grosgrain w/stripe
Wild Wasabi - twill

Sherbet:
So Saffron - wide grosgrain w/stripe
Groovy Guava - woven loop
Purely Pomegranate - w/white polka dot
Mellow Moss - velvet
Soft Sky/Very Vanilla - elastic w/gather

Theater:
Always Artichoke - grosgrain w/loop
Close to Cocoa - velvet
Old Olive/River Rock - reversible satin
Old Olive/ Vanilla - elastic w/gather
Chocolate Chip - satin w/border

to have and to hold

One of my customers is getting married next month, so I made this card for her. I used some old patterned paper in the background, and I stamped the big swirl from Baroque Motifs. The 5/8" chocolate chip ribbon is lots of fun. I also used Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the diamond, although it's hard to tell in this scan. I used the Versamarker on the diamond to make the Dazzling Diamonds glitter stick - supereasy!

My first scrapbook page and Love Note

This picture is from my 30th birthday trip to Las Vegas with my family. Read more about our trip here. One of my goals in becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator was to learn more about scrapbooking. A friend of mine scheduled a workshop recently. When I asked what sorts of projects she would like me to demonstrate, she said, "scrapbooking". I took this as my opportunity to try some scrapbooking, and I designed this 6"x6" scrapbook page for us to make together. It uses the Certainly Celery Designer Series paper. This comes in a package of 12 sheets of 12"x12" paper, so you can make 48 6"x6" pages with it. I love the idea of using vellum for the titles of scrapbook pages. You could print all your titles on one sheet of vellum paper, and then cut them up for your pages. Since vellum is sheer, you don't have to worry about coordinating the colors. I think Year After Year will prove to be a great stamp set for scrapbooking. It hits all the holidays and milestones, since it has a wedding cake, graduation hat, Christmas tree, baby toy (a cute elephant), and some other goodies.

This is a Love Note that we'll be making at my friend's house on Monday. It's a mini-card at 3"x3", the perfect size for enclosing with a gift or tucking in a lunchbox. This uses the Three For You punchbox, which includes 9 stamps, 3 stampin' spots, and a punch that makes 3 little flowers.

This month, Stampin' Up is offering a special promotion with this box. When you order the Three For You punchbox, you receive 30 Love Notes (10 each of Purely Pomegranate, and So Saffron) and matching envelopes. We'll also be using the Love Notes for the Christmas in August Stamp Camp this weekend. For some more ideas of how you can use the Punch box, check out the gallery at SplitcoastStampers.com.